Regional News

(Trinidad Express) Sagicor Financial Corporation is in a strong financial position, the company’s president said last week following concerns raised about the financial institution after it issued more than 11.7 million new shares in a private placement in Barbados.

MANAGUA, (Reuters) – Nicaraguan President Daniel  Ortega issued a decree on Saturday that could extend the terms  of electoral officials supporting his controversial bid for  re-election in 2011, a move the opposition says oversteps his  powers.

(Trinidad Guardian) The Government’s guarantee to Clico’s policyholders and depositors does not apply to investors who had money in the insurance company’s mutual funds, Central Bank Governor Ewart Williams has confirmed.

(Jamaica Observer) – Prime Minister Bruce Golding admitted on Wednesday evening to feeling the pressure of his job, but disclosed an unorthodox way of tackling the stress of the nation’s problems; he heads for the kitchen.

(Antigua Sun) – After having been denied bail last December (2009) in the St John’s Magistrates’ Court, a Guyanese woman charged with forging an Antigua and Barbuda immigration extension stamp has finally been released until her trial.

(Jamaica Observer) – The majority of the more than 51,000 offensive weapons seized by the police last year, were taken from children and persons who loiter in public spaces, Acting Deputy Police Commissioner Glenmore Hinds disclosed.

(Jamaica Gleaner) – The Jamaica Constabulary Force has released the murder figures for 2009.

(Jamaica Gleaner) – Contractor General Gregg Christie has revealed that his office has uncovered an elaborate criminal conspiracy involving a group of sham contractors, exploiting the National Housing Trust (NHT).

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States denied yesterday Cuban allegations that a US contractor detained in Cuba last month for distributing satellite communications equipment is an American spy.

Storm rushed to Barbados The son of Vincentian Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves has been rushed to Barbados for medical attention after being badly hurt in a traffic accident on Wednesday.

TEGUCIGALPA (Reuters) – The United States urged Honduras on Tuesday to form a unity government and establish a truth commission to investigate the country’s June coup, suggesting that US aid may hinge on these conditions.

CARACAS (Reuters) – President Hugo Chavez’s government has relaxed unpopular electricity rationing at malls amid an energy crisis that dampened the New Year’s fun of shopaholic and party-loving Venezuelans.

RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) – Standing defiantly in front of his mother, the skinny boy orders his drunken father to stop beating her.

No casino gambling Grenadian Prime Minister Tillman Thomas has given the thumbs down to casino gambling on the island.

…but will crack down on undocumented (Barbados Nation) Government will not be rounding up any illegal immigrants still in Barbados but will continue to crack down on undocumented CARICOM nationals involved in criminal activity.

(Trinidad Express) A Guyanese national wanted for the murder of 29-year-old Nyla Khan was arrested in a forested area at Rio Claro on Monday.

(Trinidad Guardian) The recent decision by Sagicor Financial Corporation (SFC) to raise capital by making a private placement of its shares has puzzled and perplexed three local financial analysts and stock market observers.

BOGOTA (Reuters) – Colombian guerrillas have entered into “an unholy alliance” with Islamic extremists who are helping the Marxist rebels smuggle cocaine through Africa on its way to European consumers, a US official told Reuters.

(Jamaica Observer) Eleven persons died by the gun, including three by police bullets, in the first two days of the New Year, as the Grim Reaper set a blistering start to 2010.

Skerrit: ‘not business as usual’Dominican Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has warned his incoming cabinet ministers not to expect their job to be an eight to four one.